James Nichols
NEWARK — The New Jersey Devils are dealing with a good problem on the blue line, but a problem no less. Now that they’ve returned to full health, there are more defensemen than there are spots available to play. As a result, sophomore defenseman Simon Nemec is the odd man out, and the Devils’ head coach explains his place in the lineup was stolen out from under him.
Nemec has been watching the Devils from the press box as a healthy scratch over the last three games. Through the first nine games of the season, he accrued just one point, and certainly saw his fair share of struggles defensively.
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As a result of both Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce’s improved health status, they’ve each come back into the fold on the Devils’ blue line.
Seamus Casey and Daniil Misyul were each reassigned to the American Hockey League upon Hughes and Pesce’s returns. Yet, the Devils still needed to make room in the lineup.
“Right now, we’re in a situation where we’re trying to get Hughes and Pesce up to speed and give them as many reps as possible,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe explained. “So that’s the first thing. The other defensemen, to me, have performed very well or are well established players for us.”
The expectation this season was that Nemec was going to grab hold of a roster spot and play a full season up with the varsity squad. He still remains on the roster, however, the Devils have had a few surprises this season.
Whereas Nemec hasn’t exactly given Keefe a reason to remain a regular in the lineup, he’s also been outplayed by others unexpectedly.
Casey, although reassigned, burst onto the scene and showed much promise. However, he’s not in the fold at the moment. The real issue for Nemec is the play of Johnathan Kovacevic, who has not only been strong for the Devils, but has been one of the better defensemen in the NHL to begin the 2024-25 season. As a result, Kovacevic remains a regular, stealing Nemec’s roster spot.
“We’ve got great depth on defense. [Nemec], Casey and Kovacevic got really good opportunities early in the season because of our [injuries],” Keefe continued. “Kovacevic, to me, has really taken off and capitalized on it, and there’s not as much opportunity here now. So it’s more of a number’s situation.”
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So, what’s a developing sophomore defenseman — and former second overall draft pick — to do?
It doesn’t appear there’s an appetite to reassign Nemec at the moment. As it stands, he’s firmly cemented in the seventh defenseman role for the Devils. All he can do is wait, and strike when the opportunity presents itself to take his spot on the blue line back.
“He’s going to have to be patient right now and continue to work and learn,” Keefe finalized. “He’s still a young guy with lots to learn and lots of room to grow.”
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